With autumn officially here, the traditional wedding season is drawing to a close – but that doesn’t mean you should postpone your nuptials for warmer weather. In fact, there are a number of reasons fall and winter might just be the best time of year to say “I do.”
By planning outside the traditional wedding months, you’re likely to save on venues and services – not to mention travel and accommodations for guests. Plus, fall and winter color palettes are perfect for any bride hoping to think outside the trends.
But when it comes to those chillier months, choosing the right wedding venue is a key first step in planning the fantasy cold-weather wedding. Here are a few things to consider to ensure you’re making the right choice.
Create your vision, then stick to it
When you think about your wedding, do you picture cowboy boots and lace dresses, or is it a strictly black-tie affair? Will you be serving caviar and oysters, or an elegant buffet of southern barbecue? Defining your wedding style and vision is an important first step in planning a cohesive event.
Easier said than done, right? If this feels intimidating to you, think about the kind of couple you are. Are you laid-back and outdoorsy, stylish and cultured or artistic and funky? This determination can help you decide where to put your deposit down.
You’ll also want to take the season into consideration. For example, if you’re low-key, beachy people, a coastal-themed wedding might not work as well in the fall and winter. Whatever you choose, make your theme a reflection of both your love and the season – then choose a venue that works with both.
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Think about the season
It’s one thing to plan a wedding during spring and summer when inclement weather is rare. For fall and winter brides, you should always have a plan for a sudden downpour, windstorm or blizzard – particularly in Utah, where weather during the back half of the year can get pretty dicey.
Even if your dream is an outdoor affair with a backdrop of colorful leaves and crisp autumn air, you’ll want to make sure you’ve got an indoor plan in place too. Ask any potential venue how it deals with inclement weather. For ultimate peace of mind, select a site with indoor and outdoor options available.
Keep safety and convenience in mind
A beautiful mountain retreat might be dreamy during the summer, but come autumn and winter, your alpine dream could become a nightmare for friends and family traveling to the event. Slick, wet and windy mountain roads could create undue hazards for your guests. You wouldn’t want danger – or even inconvenience – to rain (or snow) on your big day.
Choose a venue that’s easily accessed by car and allows for safe and easy walking from the parking lot into the event. Remember, if it’s difficult or inconvenient to get there now, it’ll be even more so in cold, wet or snowy weather.
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Consider your guests
Weddings bring people together – often people who have nothing more in common than their love for and support of the happy couple. And while you can’t please everyone all the time, you can still keep individual guests top of mind when considering a venue.
For example, if you have any guests with special needs, you’ll want to consider not just how well the venue accommodates those, but how well the venue works during the colder, more inclement seasons. Be sure you talk to each site about the specific needs of your guests and make sure there are solutions in place prior to booking.
Think accommodations
With school, work and extracurriculars in full swing during the autumn and winter months, it might be more difficult for your guests to travel for the big day. With that in mind, keep your wedding as convenient for your guests as possible by selecting a venue with plenty of nearby accommodation options. This is particularly important for those guests who are flying in and out with little time to spare.
Of course, you’ll want to make sure there’s also a dreamy spot nearby for you to spend your first few nights as a married couple.
This is your place
With a scenic backdrop and 11 different venues to choose from, This is the Place Heritage Park is the perfect site for weddings of all styles – from rustic and outdoorsy to elegant and intimate. Conveniently located minutes from downtown Salt Lake City, This is the Place provides staff support every step of the way.
Plan your dream wedding now by visiting This is The Place Heritage Park or calling (801) 582-1847.
This is the Place